The purpose of the weekly study circles is to renew and increase one’s knowledge of Islam, with the intention and determination to put such knowledge into practice and ultimately, attain knowledge of God and nearness to Him, the Most High.
A variety of topics are presented and discussed including:
- The recitation, memorization, understanding, teaching, and practice of the Quran
- The life of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace
- The three levels of the Islamic religion
- Islam, Iman, and Ihsan
- Fasting
- Purity and prayer on time
- The seventy seven branches of faith
- Spiritual excellence and journeying towards God
- Purification of the heart and renewal of faith
- Supplication of the spiritual bond
- Remembrance of and presence with God
- Spiritual companionship within an organized community
- Engagement in society and making a positive impact
- Cooperation with people of goodwill for the common good of society
- Giving for the sake of God
- Serving and satisfying one’s parents
- Taking care of one’s spouse and children
- Loving and serving for the sake of God brothers and sisters in faith
- Calling people to God and serving His creation
- Personal growth and professional development
There are numerous verses and hadiths showing the importance of attending study circles and the significance of seeking knowledge, such as:
- “God will raise those of you who have faith and those who are given knowledge by degrees.” (Quran 58:11)
- Narrated by Abu Hurayra, may God be pleased with him, that Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, said, “No group of people gather in a house of the Houses of God reciting the Book of God and studying it together, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, the angels surrounds them, and God mentions them among those with Him.” (Muslim)
- Narrated by Anas, may God be pleased with him, that Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, said, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Ibn Maja)
- Narrated by Abu Ad-Darda’, may God be pleased with him, that Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, said, “Whoever pursues a path seeking knowledge, God will make easy for him the path to Paradise. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the ocean seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned over the worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion.” (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)
Given the importance of seeking knowledge, our beloved Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, used to make the following special supplications:
- “O God! Grant me benefit in what you have taught me, teach me useful knowledge, and provide me with knowledge that will benefit me.” (Narrated by Anas, may God be pleased with him; An-Nasa’i and Al-Hakim)
- “O God, I ask you to grant me beneficial knowledge, pure sustenance, and accepted deeds.” (Narrated by Umm Salama, may God be pleased with her; Ahmad and Ibn Maja)
- “O God, I seek refuge in You from knowledge which does not benefit, from a heart which does not feel humble, from a soul which does not feel content, and from a supplication which is not answered.” (Narrated by Zayd Ibn Arqam, may God be pleased with him; Muslim)